Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in Kashmir: Pune’s Ganesh Mandals Unite for Cultural Harmony
Seven prominent Ganesh Mandals from Pune are coming together to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Kashmir for the second year in a row. The 10-day festival, starting on September 7, will be held in Anantnag and Kupwara. Last year, the celebrations took place in Srinagar.
The participating Ganesh Mandals include Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug Ganpati, Kesariwada Ganpati Mandal, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, and Akhil Mandai Mandal. They handed over replicas of their revered Ganpati idols to a group of Kashmiri Pandits who arrived in Pune to take these idols back to Kashmir.
Sandeep Raina, a Kashmiri Pandit, mentioned that they are continuing the tradition of celebrating the festival with great pomp and show. He added that the Ganpati celebrations would take place in Anantnag this year, where the majority of the Kashmiri Pandits reside. The Visarjan will also include a road rally and will last for five days in Anantnag.
Punit Balan, President of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust and head of the Ganpati Festival, expressed his joy in being part of this initiative. He emphasized that celebrating Ganeshotsav in Kashmir after 34 years marks a significant milestone, indicating the return of peace and cultural traditions to the valley. Balan noted that three idols from Pune are being sent to Kashmir, symbolizing the prevailing peace in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370.
This initiative showcases the power of cultural exchange and unity, transcending geographical boundaries.
Doubts Revealed
Ganesh Chaturthi -: Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is the god of wisdom and prosperity.
Kashmir -: Kashmir is a region in the northern part of India, known for its beautiful landscapes and sometimes for political issues.
Ganesh Mandals -: Ganesh Mandals are groups or organizations that set up and manage the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi in different areas.
Pune -: Pune is a city in the state of Maharashtra, India, known for its educational institutions and cultural heritage.
Anantnag -: Anantnag is a district in the Kashmir Valley, known for its scenic beauty and historical significance.
Kupwara -: Kupwara is another district in the Kashmir Valley, also known for its natural beauty and strategic importance.
Kashmiri Pandits -: Kashmiri Pandits are a group of Hindu people originally from the Kashmir Valley.
Ganpati idols -: Ganpati idols are statues of Lord Ganesha, made for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Sandeep Raina -: Sandeep Raina is a person involved in organizing the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Kashmir.
Punit Balan -: Punit Balan is another person who is helping to organize the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Kashmir.
abrogation of Article 370 -: The abrogation of Article 370 refers to the Indian government’s decision in 2019 to remove the special status given to the region of Jammu and Kashmir.
